Mannat Mikkilineni (BUCKSHOT SWAGE OPERATOR)

Yeah, 35-40 hours is a solid estimate for a balanced playthrough. I would caution that if you're aiming for the platinum trophy or a true 100% completion—which means finding all the Hot Springs, Bamboo Strikes, clearing every shrine, duel, and all collectibles—you're going to push way past that. Expect to spend 60-70+ hours if you want to see absolutely everything. The freedom to tackle the main antagonists in any order is nice, but it makes it super easy to get distracted by the gorgeous world, so your playtime largely depends on your self-control!

It was a bummer, I missed it too. That statue of Atsu and the fox spirit looked amazing. If you're desperate for physical goodies, keep an eye on the developers' social media. Sometimes they do contests or giveaways for Collector's Editions as the launch date approaches. Otherwise, the Deluxe Edition's digital artbook and soundtrack are a pretty nice consolation prize!

Jumping in for the first-timers! Ghost of Yotei can feel overwhelming at first, but here are a couple of things I wish I knew right at the start: * Prioritize Weapon Masters: Unlike Tsushima, where you mostly stuck to your katana with different stances, Atsu gets a whole new arsenal—dual katanas, the spear (yari), and the kusarigama. The core combat dynamic is now a rock-paper-scissors system where specific weapons counter specific enemy types. Find the Weapon Masters ASAP (they're marked on the map or sometimes tied to early Tales) to unlock these new weapons and their skill trees. The kusarigama is a game-changer for shielded enemies! * Don't Blow Your Coin on Ammo: You'll find ammo for your bows and firearms everywhere, especially if you loot diligently. Save your hard-earned Coin for armor upgrades first, then for the more permanent weapon and utility upgrades. Armor perks are crucial to defining your playstyle (stealth, stagger, or survivability), and upgrading them early makes a huge difference in the first region.

For beginners, a few tips can make a huge difference: - Explore carefully: Use your wolf to scout enemies and hidden paths. - Master stealth early: Avoid unnecessary fights and use terrain to your advantage. - Collect resources: Gather materials for crafting armor, weapons, and consumables. - Focus on one combat stance initially to understand its combos before branching out.

Some weapons are tied to mythic quests, so players who explore thoroughly will unlock additional powerful gear. Combining these weapons with combat stances opens interesting tactical possibilities.